11 Apr Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Have Higher Risk of Kidney Disease
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Eric Matteson, M.D.
Chairman of Rheumatology
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Matteson: “The main points are that kidney disease is more common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than in the general population and that moderate reduction in kidney function was more likely to be associated with cardiovascular disease in these patients as well. Patients with more active disease week are also at higher risk for kidney disease. “
MedicalResearch.com: Were any of the findings unexpected?
Dr. Matteson: “This is the first large study that examined this question. We did not know what to expect starting out, but did think that as patients with rheumatoid arthritis have more vascular disease, and are taking medications which might affect renal function, we might find a relationship between having rheumatoid arthritis and a higher risk for developing kidney disease.”
MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Matteson: “Clinicians should be aware of this risk, and consider monitoring patients for renal disease, as well as making every effort to avoid medications such as NSAIDs that may worsen kidney disease and paying particular attention to blood pressure control and disease control of the rheumatoid arthritis in these patients. “
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Matteson: “Future studies could focus on measures for risk reduction, and assessment of these measures. A particular area of interest would be to longitudinally follow patients to see how disease control of rheumatoid arthritis affects risk of kidney disease. “
Citation:
Development of Reduced Kidney Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis
LaTonya J. Hickson, Cynthia S. Crowson, Sherine E. Gabriel, James T. McCarthy, Eric L. Matteson
Last Updated on April 11, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD